Measuring-tape holder.



PATENTBD AUG. 6, 1907 R. E. NELSON.

MEASURING TAPE HOLDER. APPLICATION FILED.APB.15. 1901.

ROBERT E. NELSON, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

MEASURING-TAPE HOLDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 6, 1907,

Application filed April 15, 1907. Serial No. 368,364.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT E. NELSON, a citizen of the United States of America, residing in the city of Washington, District of Columbia, have invented a new and useful Improvement on a Measuring-Tape Holder, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to hold a measuring tape in a fixed position with ease and comfort, to the operator, and thereby contribute to the accuracy of measurements, to prevent injury to the measuring tape, and facilitate the fixing of points at definite distances apart, by enabling the operator, where plumb-lines are used, to hold a plumb-line at a definite point, marked upon the measuring tape-or to hold any measuring tape without slipping.

The following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing will enable those skilled in the art, to practice my invention.

Figure 1 is a side-elevation view of my invention. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the opposite side of my device. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the rear end, and .Fig. 4 shows the positionof the holder in the hand of the operator, the measuring tape as held, and the line and bob.

Referring to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, and in which, like letters designate like parts in all the views, A and B represent respectively outer and inner blocks of wood or metal, or any suitable material shaped as shown, having two plane surfaces, parallel to each other, the two blocks connected by parallel links formed of wires m and n, (shown in Fig. 2) passing through the blocks, and riveted at c, d, e and f, and fixed so as as to admit of block A taking a small upward motion, and also a movement in the direction of the hands of a watch, or taking the dotted line position as shown. The leverLhas a curved inner end, and said curved inner end is held pressed against the curved inner surface s, by links W, W, made of wire, one attaching said lever to block A, and the other to block B. This lever has an upward motion, and also has a motion of a pendulum. The wire W prevents lever L from moving toward the end of block B, in addition to its helping to hold lever L against surface s.

g is a coiled spring having one end attached to the inner block B, and the outer end attached to the outer block A. The outer and inner blocks have rounded ends to their plane inner parallel surfaces, providing openings or entrances 0 to the parallel surfaces.

It is a laterally extending headed stud in the form of a screw attached to a side of the inner block B against which the line Zsupporting a plumb bob is held pressed.

The machine may be made of any suitable material. The handle H is preferably of metal, and bent and attached firmly to block B as shown.

In the operation of the machine the block A is forced plumbinto the dotted line position either by hand or by spring g, and the tape measure placed with its length in the opening 0, having a definite mark on the tape flush with the edge of a screw 25. The lever L is pressed towards the handle H, and this action causes the wire W, which is connected with lever L to move downward, the two wires m and n always maintaining the parallelism of the two surfaces of the blocks. The tape is placed in the opening 0, between the blocks, with its length between the two blocks, the lever L is pressed and the tape firmly gripped. The tape is released by relaxing the pressure of the hand, when the block A is forced into the dotted line position by spring g. When the tape is gripped by the blocks and a definite point on the tape placed flush with edge of the screw 25, a line Z attached to the plumbbob shown may be placed against the screw it, the loose end of the line Z passed to the hand grasping the handle, the point may be fixed without injury to the tape measure or to the operator.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new is l. A measuring tape-holder comprising a lever having a curved inner end, an inner block having a curved outer surface against which the curved inner end of the lever is adapted to bear, and a plane inner surface adapted to re ceive a measuring tape, means pivotally connecting the lever with the inner block, an outer block having a plane inner surface and adapted to seat upon the plane inner surface of the inner block for gripping the measuring tape between the plane inner surfaces, means pivotally connecting the lever with the outer block and parallel links adjustably connecting together the inner and outer blocks to enable their plane inner surfaces to approach or recede from each other.

2, A measuring tapeholder, comprising a lever having a curved inner end, an inner block formed with a handle having a curved outer surface against which the curved inner end of the lever is adapted to bear, and a plane inner surface adapted to receive a measuring tape, means pivot ally connecting the lever with the inner block, an outer block having a plane inner surface and adapted to seat upon the plane inner surface 01 the inner block for gripping the measuring tape between the plane inner surfaces, means pivotally connecting the lever with the outer block and parallel links adjustably connecting together the innor and outer blocks to enable their plane inner surfaces to approach or recede from each other.

A measuring tape-holder comprising a lever having a curved inner end, an inner block having a curved outer surface against which the curved inner end of the lever is adapted to bear, and a plane inner surface formed with outwardly curved ends adapted to receive a measuring tape, means pivotally connecting the lever with the inner block, an outer block having a plane inner surface formed with outwardly curved ends, and adapted to seat upon the plane inner surface of the inner block for gripping the measuring tape between the plane inner surfaces, means pivotally connecting the lever with the outer block and parallel links adjustably connecting together the inner and outer blocks to enable their plane inner surfaces to up preach or recede from each other.

4. A measuring tape-holder comprising a lever having a curved inner end, an inner block having a curved outer surface against which the curved inner end of the lever is adapted to bear, and a plane inner surface adapted to receive a measuring tape, means pivotally connecting the lever with the inner block, a laterally extending stud secured to a side of the inner block for supporting a plumbhol) line, an outer block having a plane inner surface and adapted to seat upon the plane inner surface of the inner block for gripping the measuring tape between the plane inner surfaces, means pivotally connecting the lever with the outer block and parallel links adjustably connecting together the inner and outer blocks to enable their plane inner surfaces to approach or recede from each other.

A measuring tape-holder comprising a lever having a curved inner end, an inner block having a curved outer surface against which the curved inner end of the lever is adapted to hear, and a plane inner surface adapted to receive a measuring tape, a link pivot-ally connecting the lever with the inner block, an outer block having a plane in ner surface and adapted to seat upon the plane inner surface of the inner block for gripping the measuring tape between the plane. inner surfaces, a link pivotally connecting the lever with the outer block and parallel links adjnstably connecting together the inner and outer blocks to enable their plane inner surfaces to approach or reeede from each other.

6. A measuring tape-holder comprising a lever having a curved inner end, an inner block having a curved outer surface against which the curved inner end of the lever is adapted to hear, and a plane inner surface adapted to receive a measuring tape, means pivotally connecting the lever with the inner block, an outer block having a plane inner surface and adapted to seat upon the plane inner surface of the inner block for gripping the measuring tape between the plane inner surfaces, means pivotally connecting the lever with the outer block, a spring having its ends se cured respectively to the inner and outer blocks for holding them apart, and parallel links adjustably connecting together the inner and outer blocks to enable their plane inner surfaces to approach or recede from each other.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT E. NELSON.

Witnesses ROLAND C. BOOTH, Mann 1D. Boo'rH. 

